2013 rta symposium & technical conference … · annual symposium & technical conference....

12 CROSSTIES • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2013

2013 RTA SYMPOSIUM & TECHNICAL CONFERENCE

Discovering Sierra Goldembers of the Railway Tie Association gathered in October in the Sierra Mountains on the shores of breathtaking Lake Tahoe for the 95th

Annual Symposium & Technical Conference.The conference was held at the beautiful

Hyatt Regency Incline Village. Here,

attendees “struck gold” with new knowledge about trends and developments in the wood tie industry.

On the pages that follow are highlights from the conference. Photos are provided courtesy of Gary Coleman. See a full gallery at http://colemanphotography.pass.us/rta2013/.

Attendees and guests were able to spend a little time reconnecting with old friends and making new ones, too. Special networking and free-time activities added to the fun.

Casino Tournament GroupAshley Baker, Elijah Colburn & Kenny Dailey

Gary Ambrose & Ian Rauch Jerry Prock & Doug Delmonico

Jeff Broadfoot David CarmenPhil Myers

Elijah Colburn Frank Wilson Tim Ries

Bill Moss

Seeing Old Friends & Making New Ones

M

The Casino Royale Tournament was held in place of the annual golf outing, which was snowed out. Attendees could also enjoy a wine and chocolate pairing or a visit to nearby historic Virginia City.

Casino Royale Tournament

Tournament Winners

Robert Pearce, Mike Goldston & Ted Woerle

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Everyone is rounded up to see a Wild West show.

Barb & Gary Ambrose with Marshall Allen

Jef Bass & Jim Gauntt stop long enough to check on Susan Gauntt and other attendees at the wine and chocolate pairing event.

Dave & Emma Webb

Ben & Missy Chapman

Mike Goldston with Paul Cabrol

Tifani & Wes Chandler

Mary & Brad Lafevers

Steve Lish, John Heller & Tim Ries

Dominic Paolucci of Ruetgers

Crossties Magazine hardworking Editor, Kristen McIntosh, enjoying the beautiful sunset.

Beth Wyatt & Rhonda Nicoloffof A&K Railroad Materials

The Annual President’s Reception is always a highlight of the conference. This year, the reception was held at the Lake Tahoe Home of A&K Railroad Materials Founder and Chairman Kern Schumacher, who was able to join the group for this and several other events during the course of the conference.

President’s ReceptionThtheTaKesev

President s Reception

View of the lake from

our host’s beautiful

back yard.

Virginia City TourWine & Chocolate Pairing

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Sande Lavino with Buster Julian, Jim Brient and Pattie Parrett

Damon & Melanie Smith Sarah and Ron Lang Trish and Tim Tucker

Andy and Joan Thompson Deb Fox and Mike SmithJoe & Pam Smak

Doug & Becky Mellott with Joan Thompson

Jack and Debbie Hughes

Buddy Downey reminiscing with Dick BowlbyRob Churma with Bob Fronczak

A&K Railroad Materials Founder and Chairman Kern Schumacher, left, gra-ciously hosted RTA for its President’s Reception and later a lobster boil.

Sessions on Thursday addressed everything from the economy and its effect on the rail and wood tie industries to issues affecting short line and regional railroads and contractors. Attendees were also brought up to speed on the state of the hardwood marketplace, pressing legislative issues and engineering projects being undertaken by U.S. railroads.

Jeff Parrett starts the morning off welcoming attendees.

Kevin Hicks gives the Safety Brief-ing before sessions begin.

Sparky Hardemann with Mike Hoffman, Tom Mitchell and Rodrigo Elizondo Trevino

Guests listen attentively to the well- received luncheon presentation.

John McGinley gives the annual Resolutions Report.

More President’s Reception

Thursday Business Sessions & Luncheon

Terry Jones, chairman of Kayak.com, discussed how to develop a culture of innovation in our companies during the luncheon address.

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With a theme of “All Black & a Little Gold,” the Annual RTA Banquet & Awards Ceremony was a gala enjoyed by all. RTA’s highly coveted Branding Hammer, Broad Axe and Silver Saw awards were given to very deserving individuals who have made signi cant contributions not only to RTA but also to the industry as a whole. Awards and a delicious meal were followed by the comedic genius of Comedy Central’s Al Jackson.

Comedian Al Jackson

Outgoing Board Member Lisa Pleasants with Jeff Parrett

Bill Taylor with Arne Arneson

Elaine and Glenn Floresca

Ted Nakanishi with Tad Inami Barbara and Mike Stacey with Kern Schumacher and Maria Urso

Jim Gauntt presents the $200 gift card to winner Jane Moss.

Special award for Kern Schumacher presented by Debbie Corallo

Branding Hammer Award Winner Jeff McCracken with Jeff Parrett

Floyd Bowlby enjoys catching up with Grady Brafford and Jeanie Downey.

Phil and Sarah Heusler meeting Al Jackson

Dave Barry listens as Rob Churma shows him how the RTA app works.

Broad Axe Award Winner Floyd Bowlby with Jeff Parrett

Carmen Trevizo with Steve Bolte

Skipper Beal with Judd Johnson

Silver Saw Award Winner Frank Wilson with Jeff Parrett

Tony Chambers with Chuck Emely

Annual RTA Banquet & Awards Ceremony

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Friday’s business session focused on a variety of research initiatives related to preservatives, “green” power and more. The nal session of the day focused on tie purchases planned by U.S. railroads for 2014.

RTA President Jeff Parrett assists Rob Churma of Canadian Paci c as he draws the winning name for a $300 American Express gift card out of the hat, courtesy of Canadian Paci c. Tony Chambers of Nisus Corp. won the prize.

Members of the Railroad Purchasing Forum panel share insight with the audience.

The group listens intently as Class I railroaders describe their purchasing plans for the coming year.

Attendees are always encouraged to ask questions and/or comment following the presentations. Pictured here are Victoria Schopp and Jason Feagans.

Bill Taylor of DTE Energy

Friday Business Session

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Acme Wood General SponsorshipAmsted RPS Conference SponsorshipAppalachian Timber Friday AM Coffee BreakBoatright Banquet Bar - FullCahaba General SponsorshipCP AMEX Gift CardCS Industries Conference SponsorshipCSX Conference SignageEagle Metal Conference Gift Gemini Forest Products Conference SponsorshipGeorgetown Rail and Lonza RTA Registration & Welcome RefreshmentsGross & Janes Audio-VisualJHBaxter Conference SponsorshipKMG Guest Hospitality BreakfastKoppers Inc. Banquet, Entertainment & Conference Bag

Lone Star Specialties Conference ProgramsMellott Wood Preserving Speakers’ GiftMiTek Conference Gift - PremiumNational Salvage Name Badge SponsorNATT Conference AppNisus Conference App & Hotel Key CardNRC Conference PhotographyOmaha Track Thursday RefreshmentsOsmose Thursday Continental BreakfastPaci c Wood Preserving Transportation to Truckee Winery

Pendu Conference Sponsorship & AMEX gift cardRailWorks Friday Continental BreakfastRocky Mountain Tie & Timber Game SponsorshipRuetgers Thursday Business Luncheon & Keynote SpeakerStella-Jones Thursday Business Luncheon & Spouse GiftTaylor Machine Works Thursday Morning Coffee BreakUnion Paci c Awards SponsorshipWheeler Lumber Conference Gift


A special thanks is due to RTA’s many exhibitors and vendor-mercial presenters.

Brewer Machine & Parts

Lewis Bolt & Nut

Pendu Manufacturing

CS Industries

National Salvage

Wheeler Lumber

Nick Delmonico giving the Vendor-Mercial for Encore Rail.

Brewco

Encore Rail

Nisus Corp.

Mike Goldston giving the Vendor-Mercial for Brewco.

RTA’s newest member, Bernard Boulet of BSP Manufacturing

Lonza Wood Protection

Rocky Mountain Tie & Timber

Company CompanySponsoring Sponsoring Sponsoring

BrewcoBrewer Machine & PartsBSP Manufacturing

CS IndustriesEncoreLewis Nut & BoltLonza

National SalvageNisusP&G ManufacturingPendu

Rocky Mountain Tie & TimberWood Care

BrewcoEncore

P&G ManufacturingWoodcare

Reserve tabletop exhibit space for RTA’s2014 Symposium & Technical Conference by calling

770-460-5553 or emailing [email protected]

Exhibitors & Sponsors

SponsorsCompany

Exhibitors Vendor-Mercials

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2013 rta symposium & technical conference … · annual symposium & technical conference....

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